I've been reading Sarah Young's Jesus Calling this year. Each day's devotional is shared as if God himself is speaking. Some people have found that approach unsettling, but I have enjoyed the thoughts and insights presented in the book.
The devotional for August 3 was about the power of our words - and I found it especially pertinent. It's almost November, and I'm still thinking about what I read back in August!
The devotional for August 3 was about the power of our words - and I found it especially pertinent. It's almost November, and I'm still thinking about what I read back in August!
This was the devotional for that day. Remember, this is written as if God himself were speaking:
Watch your words diligently.
Words have such power to bless or to wound.
When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damage others as well as yourself. This ability to verbalize is an awesome privilege, granted only to those I created in My image.
You need help in wielding this mighty power responsibly.
Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts,
My instructions about communication are quite different:
Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
Ask My Spirit to help you whenever you speak.
I have trained you to pray - "Help me, Holy Spirit" -
before answering the phone, and you have seen the benefits of this discipline. Simply apply the same discipline to communicating with people around you.
If they are silent, pray before speaking to them.
If they are talking, pray before responding.
These are split-second prayers, but they put you in touch with My Presence. In this way, your speaking comes under the control of My Spirit. As positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in your Joy will amaze you.
Words have such power to bless or to wound.
When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damage others as well as yourself. This ability to verbalize is an awesome privilege, granted only to those I created in My image.
You need help in wielding this mighty power responsibly.
Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts,
My instructions about communication are quite different:
Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
Ask My Spirit to help you whenever you speak.
I have trained you to pray - "Help me, Holy Spirit" -
before answering the phone, and you have seen the benefits of this discipline. Simply apply the same discipline to communicating with people around you.
If they are silent, pray before speaking to them.
If they are talking, pray before responding.
These are split-second prayers, but they put you in touch with My Presence. In this way, your speaking comes under the control of My Spirit. As positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in your Joy will amaze you.
As simple as that wisdom is, it's still wisdom. And it's a good word for all of us to consider.
Proverbs 12:18 puts it this way: "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." If our words can actually pierce or heal, we should probably use great care in selecting which ones to use.
Proverbs 12:18 puts it this way: "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." If our words can actually pierce or heal, we should probably use great care in selecting which ones to use.